Most Americans Now Consider Themselves Pro-Choice

Over the past few months, we've watched our reproductive rights come into question as politicians tried to make a case against abortion—even in cases of rape.

First, former U.S. representative Todd Akin declared that during a "legitimate rape," the female body has ways to try to shut itself down to prevent pregnancy. (Don't even get us started.) Then, senate candidate Richard Mourdock said that a rape-induced pregnancy "is something that God intended to happen." (He later claimed that his words were "twisted.")

But it appears that something good may have stemmed from these ridiculous, offensive comments and the recent, ongoing debate they've ignited about a woman's right to choose: A new poll from Rasmussen Reports, which was conducted just days after the presidential election, shows that 54 percent of Americans consider themselves pro-choice, while 38 percent identify as pro-life.

This news comes as a relief given that only six months ago, a poll conducted by Gallup found that a record low of only 41 percent of people considered themselves "pro-choice." Let's hope that this latest poll is an indication that the tides are turning back toward protecting women's reproductive rights.